Learn how to make the BEST French Vinaigrette! This classic salad dressing has an authentic flavor that will remind you of a Parisian bistro. Best of all, this delicious recipe is ready in minutes, easy to make, and so versatile ... you can use it on everything from salads to marinated veggies and more!
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I love making simple salad dressings at home. They're affordable to prepare, and a really easy way to elevate even the simplest bowl of greens from good to great.
While there are many tasty dressings out there, this homemade French Vinaigrette is definitely a favorite. At its core, this is a simple vinegar and oil salad dressing, but the addition of dijon mustard and and diced shallots turn it into a truly scrumptious recipe that you'll find yourself returning to again and again!
This classic vinaigrette will remind you of the ones used in French bistros. But if you think French cooking has to be complicated, this recipe will prove you wrong! You only need a four ingredients (plus salt and pepper) and a few minutes to throw this flavorful dressing together.
Toss this vinaigrette with a bowl of mixed greens, use it to make a mayo-free potato salad, or drizzle it over fresh or steamed veggies. You are going to love the versatility of this recipe, so I recommend keeping a jar in your refrigerator at all times!
Ready to get started? Then keep reading for the easy recipe, plus lots of helpful tips and serving ideas!
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Ingredients
This yummy French Dressing uses just a few simple ingredients! Here's what you'll need:
- Vinegar - A simple red wine vinegar works really well for this recipe.
- Oil - For the best flavor, I recommend using a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Mustard - A little dijon mustard is one of this recipe's key ingredients. It adds a wonderful flavor, and it also helps the dressing stay emulsified longer. I like Grey Poupon (which is also super easy to find), but Maille and Edmond Fallot are also great options.
- Shallots - The delicate, sweet flavor of fresh shallots makes this recipe a standout. Look for them by the garlic / onions in your grocery store's produce section.
- Salt + Pepper - I recommend using kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper (this is the pepper grinder I use).
This French inspired salad dressing is naturally vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, gluten free, and nut free, which means everyone at your table can enjoy it! And like many salad dressings, you can easily customize the recipe ... check out the Variations section below for ideas.
You'll Also Need
To prepare this mustard shallot vinaigrette, you'll also need a sharp knife to dice the shallot, measuring cups and spoons, and a small bowl and whisk, or a mason jar, to combine the ingredients.
How to Make French Vinaigrette
This easy French Salad Dressing recipe couldn't be easier to prepare! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Prep shallot. You'll start by cutting the shallot into a small dice.
- Combine ingredients. Next, add the shallot to a small bowl or jar, along with the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk or shake to emulsify dressing. If you're making the vinaigrette in a bowl, whisk the ingredients together until the everything is combined and the dressing looks thick and creamy. If you're using a jar, shake the everything together until well mixed.
Okay, wasn't that easy? You are going to love the zesty flavor of this classic French Vinaigrette! Keep a jar in your fridge, and you'll be able to throw together a simple salad in minutes.
Did you know? When you emulsify a dressing, you are combining two ingredients that don't usually mix: oil and water. As you shake or whisk, the oil separates into tiny drops and becomes suspended in the liquid.
Variations
This traditional vinaigrette recipe is perfect as-is, but fun to customize with different flavors! Here are a few ideas to try:
- More or Less Tangy - You can easily adjust this dressing's tanginess. For a milder vinaigrette, use less vinegar or more olive oil. Adding more salt will also help if it's too tart. For a stronger-tasting dressing, use less olive oil or more vinegar.
- Other Vinegars - Replace the red wine vinegar with sherry vinegar, white wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar.
- Lemon - It's possible to make this recipe with fresh lemon juice instead of vinegar, or you may use a combination of vinegar and lemon juice. Try it both ways to see which you prefer!
- No Shallots - For a simpler dressing, you can skip the shallots. Although they really do add a lot of flavor, so try to find them if you can.
- Garlic - If you're a garlic lover, add a minced clove or two.
- Herbs - Have a bunch of fresh herbs (such as parsley, dill, chives, tarragon, thyme, or chervil) hanging out in your fridge? Chop them up and add them in!
- Mustard - A whole grain mustard (like Pommery Moutarde de Meaux) or coarse ground mustard (such as this Country Dijon) would also be delish.
- Honey - While an authentic French Dressing isn't meant to be sweet, a teaspoon or two of honey would pair well with the mustard.
- Oil - Replace half of the olive oil with walnut oil for a slightly nutty flavor, or swap in a milder oil, such as avocado or grapeseed oil.
Tip: When introducing other ingredients, you may need to adjust the amount of oil or vinegar to balance things out. Make sure to taste the dressing as you go, so you can tweak the amounts, if necessary.
How to Use (Serving Suggestions)
This flavorful salad dressing is super versatile! Here are a few easy ways to use it:
- Salads - Of course, we have to start with salads! My Warm Goat Cheese Salad and Marinated Tomato Salad both use this dressing, but it would be perfect for perking up a Tossed Green Salad or Easy Chopped Salad, too.
- Potatoes - Use this dressing to make my scrumptious French Potato Salad, an easy no mayo recipe that's super light and fresh tasting.
- Veggies - Drizzle over steamed, grilled, or roasted vegetables before serving.
- Grains - Mix the dressing with couscous, quinoa, rice, or other grains, then use them to make a salad, serve them as a simple side dish, or use them to make a grain and veggie bowl.
- Sandwich - Add a little dressing to a veggie sandwich for extra flavor. Try this French style dressing on my Tomato Avocado Sandwich.
- Beans - Stir into a bowl of your fave beans or lentils, then add some cooked veggies (like green beans, roasted red peppers, or artichokes) for a simplified bean salad.
- Pasta - Toss with pasta and fresh veggies to make a delicious pasta salad.
Storage
Store any leftovers in your refrigerator for up to four days. As the dressing sits, it will separate, so make sure to give it another whisk (or shake) before using. The flavor of the shallots will also mellow out a bit.
Related Recipes
If you love this recipe, make sure to check out my other dressing and salad topping recipes next:
- Lemon Salad Dressing - The easiest and sunniest vinaigrette ever ... perfect for busy weeknights, but delicious enough for dinner parties, too!
- Honey Lemon Salad Dressing - A flavorful twist on my go-to Lemon Dressing.
- Maple Vinaigrette - This delicious recipe has a wonderful sweet and tangy flavor you'll love.
- Red Wine Vinegar Dressing - Another vinaigrette that's a total classic!
- Sour Cream Dressing - This creamy dressing is light and tangy (so delish).
- Tahini Lemon Dressing - You only need a few ingredients to make this bright, creamy recipe.
- Pesto Salad Dressing - If you're a pesto fan, you have to try this!
- Homemade Croutons - The perfect way to make any salad even tastier.
- Sourdough Croutons - A must for sourdough lovers!
And don't miss my other sauces and salad recipes!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The names French Vinaigrette and French Dressing are often used interchangeably, but they may refer to two different types of salad dressings. French Vinaigrette is a classic oil and vinegar dressing that hails from France. However in the U.S., French Dressing often refers to a sweeter, red or orange colored dressing (it gets its ruby color from ketchup and sometimes paprika) that's closer in flavor to Russian and Catalina Dressings.
Salad dressing is a sauce that's served on (or tossed with) salads. A vinaigrette is a specific type of salad dressing that's made with oil and acid (such as vinegar or lemon juice).
The standard ratio for vinaigrette is 3:1, which means 3 parts oil to 1 part acid (vinegar, lemon juice, etc.). However, many dressings do not follow this standard ratio, and you can play around with these proportions to suit your own tastes.
Vinaigrette is a healthier choice for salads when compared to cream-based dressings. Of course, vinaigrettes are still made with oil, so you should enjoy them moderation.
French Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup finely diced shallot (about 1 shallot)
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl (or jar with lid).
- Whisk (or shake, if using a jar) the ingredients together until emulsified. Dressing should look thick and creamy with done.
- Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
- Use vinaigrette immediately or store in your refrigerator for up to 4 days. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
